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FLAAR
evaluates Hewlett-Packard DesignJet 2800CP to replace Encad
wide format printers
Wow,
the photo-realistic quality produced by HP DesignJet 2800CP
wide format printer exceeds our expectations. Just look at
these colorful prints!
These
are mostly images from 35mm slides. Try doing this in a normal
darkroom. Yet scanning with a Scitex and printing with the
Hewlett-Packard printer results in beautiful fine art prints
every time.
These
inks are normal indoor inks. Our office has strong direct
sunlight steaming in the windows. If these prints were from
an Epson printer the images would fade quickly. Yet the Hewlett-Packard
inks hold up well. If we used Hewlett-Packard pigmented inks
the images would last into the next century.
Here
is the Hewlett-Packard DesignJet 2800CP in the FLAAR office
in Essen, Germany. Actually one of these prints is produced
by a circa $25,000 printer (a Roland
HiFi) and all the other prints are produced by the HP
DesignJet 2800CP which definitely costs appreciably closer
to the budget of a normal mortal.
Can
you tell which print is from a $25,000 printer and which is
from a $15,000 printer? Actually you can get the essentially
identical color printer from Hewlett-Packard as the model
2500 with an internal onboard RIP and save $5,000. That is
a museum-quality printer for just $10,000.
Just
calculate how much profit you can make producing prints of
this quality.
Prints
shown here are all from 35mm
slides scanned on a Scitex EverSmart Supreme flatbed scanner.
If you intend to use 35mm slides to enlarge on a wide format
printer, be sure you select a scanner that has the necessary
quality, such as any of the Scitex scanners. Check out www.cameras-scanners-flaar.org
and www.flatbed-scanner-review.org
to see what scanners are good, and what scanners you should
avoid.
For
additional information and for help making your decision,
ask for the "FLAAR report on signs, posters, banners"
(specify whether for indoor signs or outdoor signs in
the rain and sun) or for the FLAAR report on "Piezo
vs Thermal printheads, fact vs fiction, pros and cons
of each kind of inkjet printhead." You can also ask
for the report on "Media and Inks for Photo-Realistic
and Fine Art Giclee," or "Media and Inks for
Sign Printing with Large Format Inkjet."
If
this will be your first printer, then we have a
special report that holds your hand and leads you
through all the basic questions that will assist
a first-time buyer of a large format printer. Purchase
the FLAAR report on "RIP
+ Help." This explains what RIP software
is, why this is useful, and includes tips, warnings,
information, and help for a wide range of matters
for a newbie. Here you will really appreciate that
FLAAR is based at a university; Professor Hellmuth
has plenty of experience writing in a manner that
explains what you need, and why.
If
you seek info on Wasatch SoftRIP for an HP or Encad
(thermal printers), contact Jonathan Knecht,
tel toll free 888 BIG-COLR, e-mail colorguru@colordna.com.
We only recommend resources that offer competent technical support, experience based on years in the business, and a company where we have personally met (and checked out) the people behind the name. Thus if you are considering acquiring any HP DesignJet printer, you can contact Jonathan Knecht with confidence, e-mail colorguru@colordna.com , toll free (888) 244-2657.
If
you are in Canada or outside USA, please contact
your local national dealer. Most USA resellers
do not sell outside the continental USA.
For
further information on PosterJet in the USA, contact
ken@scarabgraphics.com
or check out their web site, ScarabGraphics.com.
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All reports by Dr. Nicholas Hellmuth |
UPDATED: March 11, 2005
Last Updated August 02/2001
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